benet



(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet l.

L. V. BENBT & H. A MERGIE.

BREEGH MECHANISM FOR GUNS.

Patented'Apr. 30, 1895.

(No Model.) '6 Sheet-Sheet 2.

L. V. BENET & H. A MERGIE.v BREEOH MECHANISM FOR GUNS.

No. 538,227. Patented Apr. 30, 1895.

w yz yg y (No Model.) e Sheets-Sheet 3.

L. V. BENET 8c H. A MERCIE.

BREEGH MEGHANISM FOR GUNS.

No. 538,227. Patented Apr. 80, 1895.

I. e. I P K l 4, I3 Q I H I O 5 f6 N PR JvzyezaZbrS 4342029 (N0 ModeL) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

L. V. BENET 85 H. A MERCIE. BREEGH MEGHANISM FOB, GUNS.

No. 538,227. Patented Apr. 30, 1895.

H fiven$ 31 (No Model.) sSheet 5.

6 Sheet L. V; BE 8v H. A MERCIE. BREEGH HANISM FOR GUNS. No 533,227. Patented Apr. 30, 1895; 7 ,fj'ziy, 7 1 6;, a?

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet e.

L. V. BENET & H. AMERGIE. BRBECH MECHANISM FOR GUNS.

No. 538,327. 4 Patented Apr. 30, 1895.

Nrrn S'rn'rns ATENT LAURENCE V. BENFIT AND HENRI A. MEROIF, OF PARIS, FRANCE, ASSIGI ORS TO THE HOTOHKISS- ORDNANOE COMPANY, LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

BREECH MECHANISM FOR GUNS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,227, dated April 30, 1895.

Application filed September 25, 1894. Serial No. 524,099. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: of the spring box on the line 22 22 of Fig. 21. Be it known that we, LAURENCE V.BENET, Fig. 23 is a plan of the trigger shaft and a citizen of the United States, and HENRI A. spring; Fig. 24, an elevation of its outer end,

MEROIE, a citizen of the Republic of France, and 'Fig. 25 a section of the same on the line both residing at Paris, France,have invented 25 of Fig.23. Fig. 26 is a plan view of the new and useful Improvements in Breech-Oplanyard hook.

crating Mechanism for Breech-Loading Guns, In all of the figures like letters designate of which the following is a specification. like parts.

Our invention relates to that class of guns For the sake of illustration we have shown 10 wherein the powder charge and primer are our mechanism applied to the breech block contained in, and the obturation performed of the well known Hotchkiss mountain gun, by a metallic cartridge case, and particularly and in connection with the breech block is to that class of gun wherein its breech is indicated the well known Hotchkiss extractor opened and closed byahorizontal movement and stop bolt. We shall first describe our [5 of the wedge or breech block. mechanism in detail and finally describe its The object of our invention is to furnish action as a whole. an improved percussion mechanism for this In the drawings the gun body is shown as class of gun with improved means for cocka single forging, comprising in one piece the ing, maintaining, and releasing the firing barrel and the enlarged breech for the recep- 20 pin, improved means for assembling and distion of the breech mechanism. It is obvious 7o mountingthe mechanism andimprovedmethhowever that the breech may be formed in a ods of preventing the discharge of the gun separate jacket shrunk or otherwise attached before the breech block is fully closed and to the tube or barrel of the gun. locked. A is the breech block located in a horizon- 25 In the accompanying drawings, which illustal mortise Bin the gun breech and having a trate our invention, Figure 1 is a side eleva horizontal movement, which is controlled in tion of the breech of the gun, with the breech the following way: In the bottom of the closed and its hammer cooked and ready for breech mortise is formed the projecting guide firing. Fig. 2 is the corresponding rear elea Fig. 1 which enters and registers with the 0 vation of the breech of the gun. Fig. 3 is a corresponding recess ct in the bottom face of horizontal section through the axis of the gun, the breech block Figs. 1, 6 and 9, thus guiding showing the hammer in full. Fig. 4 is a secthe breech block in its horizontal movement. tion along the line l 4 of Fig-1. Fig. 5 is a This recess a is inclined to the axis of the section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a gun atsuch an angle (Fig. 6) that as the 35 bottom view of the breech block. Fig. 7 is'a breech block is withdrawn it is pushed acerfront view of the same with firing plate and tain distance to the rear, thus carrying the hammer removed; and Fig.8 is a top view of front face of the breech block away from its the same. Fig. 9 is a section of the breech forward abutment face in the breech mortise block on the line 9 9 of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a and the entrance to the bore of the gun.. To

40 front face, and Fig. 11 a section, of the firing permit of this movement the rear face a of the plate. Fig.12 is an elevation,and Fig. 13 isa breech block and the rear face b of the morplan view, of the locking screw and cooking tise in the gun breech are inclined at an ancam'. Fig. 14 is a section of the same on the gle parallel with the breech block recess a line 14 1 1 of Fig. 12; and Fig. 15 is an elevawhile the front face a of the breech block,

45 tion of the outer end of the locking screw. the front face I) of the gun-breech mortise 5 Fig. 16 is an elevation, and Fig. 17 a plan, of and the mortise guide a are substantially perthe working handle and shaft. Fig.18 is a pendicular to the axis of the gun. The inner plan, and Fig. 19 a rear elevation, of the end of the front face a of the breech block is hammer; and Fig. 20 is a plan of the firing inclined rearwardly at of. (Figs. 3 and 7) in 50 pin. Fig. 21 is a plan, and Fig. 22 a section, order to pass over the projecting head of the ICC cartridge, and to drive the cartridge fully into the bore of the gun, as the breech block is being inserted.

To limit the extent to which the breech block A can be withdrawn, the under face of the breech block is formed with a groove 0 (Fig. 6) which is parallel to the inclined rear face a of the breech block. Through the under side of the breech is screwed a stout bolt 0 Figs. 1 and 2 the extremity of which projects into the mortise through the breech and engages in the grooveC thus limiting the horizontal motion of the breech piece when withdrawn. To prevent the accidental unscrewing of the bolt C, a spring washer C is interposed between the head of the bolt and the under surface of the breech of the gun. On the under surface of the washer are formed lugs c which engage in corresponding recesses c in the .upper face of the bolt head, and cause the washer to turn with the bolt. On the upper surface of the washer are rounded lugs c which engage in corresponding rounded recesses c in the lower surface of the breech of the gun. The bolt head 0 is cut away at 0 under the lugs c in such manner that if sufficient force be exerted to turn the bolt, the washer will be able to spring back permitting the lugs c to ride out of their recesses, thus allowing the boltto be readily unscrewed.

A Figs. 2, 3, and 7 is a circular aperture in the end of the breech block, which registers with the bore of the gun and the enlarged aperture B in the breech, to permit the insertion of the cartridges, when the breech block has been withdrawn to the full extent permitted by the bolt 0 and groove 0.

The extractor D (Fig. 1) of a well known construction consists of a single piece of metal, which is lodged in a T shaped mortise d (Fig. 2) formed in the breech of the gun. Its front end is provided with a claw d (Fig. 1) for grasping the head of the cartridge, and

. a stud d formed on its lower surface which engages the groove (1 (Fig. 8) formed in the upper surface of the breech block parallel to the front face of the breech block'for a certain distance, and then inclined abruptly to the rear. As the breech block is withdrawn the stud engaging the groove cl causes the extractor D to follow the rearward motion of the breech block, thus starting the cartridge from the chamber of the gun.. When the breech block is so far withdrawn as to nearly bring the openings A and B in line, the stud of the extractor striking the abruptly inclined portion of the grooved is caused to movesharply to the rear, ejecting the fired cartridge case from the gun.

The breech block is withdrawn by means of the handle E (Figs. 1,2, 4., 16, and17) mounted on a shaft E journaled in the breech block, and sensibly perpendicular to the vertical plane of the gun. On the shaft E is formed a key or spline e which engages in a keyway e cut in the locking screw E (Figs. 4, 12 and 15). The locking screw E is formed in turned to the front or to the rear.

one piece with the cocking cam I hereinafter described. The locking screw E is preferably cut as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 with a thread of rectangular section, and engages in a partial female screw E (Fig. 4:) cut in the rear face of the breech mortise. \Vhen the locking screw is home, the breech is locked, and the firing mechanism substantially in line with the axis of the bore. The thread of the locking screw makes but one revolution around its axis and terminates at 6 Figs. 12 and 13 so that when the handleE and with it the locking screw E is given a half turn to the rear, its thread is disengaged from the female thread in the breech of the gun, and the breech block is then free or no longer locked and may be withdrawn.

On the shaft E is formed a disk F on the inner side of which is cut a recess F limited at each end by the two abutment surfaces ff. In this recess engages a projection or stop f which is formed in a recess in the breech block, wherein the disk is lodged and may freely revolve. The abutment surfaces fand f are at such a distance apart that they strike the stop f according as the locking screw is fully home, or given a half turn to the rear to withdraw the breech block; that is to say, the abutment surfaces fand f with the stop f operate to limit the rotary motion of the handle E together with the shaft E and the looking screw E The shaft E is held in place, and the force applied to the handle E for withdrawing the breech block is resisted, by the shoulder 0 of the trigger shaft 0' as hereinafter described and the shaft E cannot beremoved from the breech block without first removing the trigger shaft.

To automatically cook the hammer on closing and locking the breech we provide the following mechanism; a trigger shaft 0 (Figs. 4 and 23) hereinafter more fully described, is inclosed in a spring box G (Fig. 21) capable of a limited longitudinal play on the trigger a longitudinal slot g in the wall of the chain-- her 9 parallel with the axis of the chamber, engages with the cocking cam I. The cocking cam I (Figs. 4, 12 and 13) is formed in one piece with the locking screw E and partakes of its rotary motion when the handle E is The surface of thecocking cam has a helical thread 1' extending upward from its tip, and making part of a complete revolution around its axis, so as to leave, a plain surface t" extending along the axis unoccupied by'a thread or any obstruction. See Fig. 12. When the breech is locked, and when the spring box G is pressed inward by the main spring H the cocking toe g rests against the tip end of the helical thread 11 of the cocking cam. On turning the handle E to the rear to unlock the breech block the cocking cam I partakes of the rotary motion and the helical thread causes the cocking toe g and with it the spring box G to move longitudinally outward on the trigger shaft thus compressing the main spring H between the bottom of the box against which it abuts and the shoulder o of the trigger shaft. The spring box G is prevented from turning about its axis by the cooking toe, in the slot 9 Just before the handle E has reached its extreme position, that is, just before thesurface f has struck the' stop f the plane surface 2" of the cockin g cam passes over the cocking toe holding itpositivelytothe'rear.

The hammer J (Figs'. 3, 4, :18, and 19)'consists of a single piece of metal, provided with a detachable or permanent firing pin j.(Fig. 20), and is located in a slot or mortise K (Figs. 3, '7, ahd9)in'the axis of the breechfblock which permits it -to rock within certain limits, while a further mortise K atright angles'to the mortise K affords space for its shaft j. On the shaft j is formed the tooth 7' one or more, which engages between the two or more teeth 9 g of the cooking rack G formed on the spring box G, (Figs. 4. and 19.) As

- the shaft of the hammer is free to revolve 19) are reduced in diameter, and journal in bearings is (Fig. 7) formed in the upper and lower faces of the mortise K in the breech block. These holes is are cut away toward the front face of the breech block, forming channels through which the*axis of the hammer may he slipped into place. As shown the extremities of the axis of the hammer are cut away atj in order that when turned to a given position they may pass through the channels 70 into their bearings k. This position is determined in such manner that the hammer can onlybe slipped into place and the toothj register with the cooking rack, when the spring box G has been withdrawn a greater distance than it moves under the infiuence of the cooking cam I. Hence to dismount or mount the hammer it is necessary first to remove the mainspring, when the spring box may be sufficiently withdrawn to permit the extremities of. the shaft or axis of the hammer to engage in and move along the channels 10 y In the front face of the breech block in front of the mortise K in which the hammer rocks, is a recessed seat L in which is seated a firing plate M (Figs. 3, 10, and 11) removably secured in place by a screw thread formed around it which registers with a corresponding thread formed in the firing plate seat L. Two or more recesses m m (Fig. 10) in the firing plate M are provided, by which the plate may be removed with a wrench. In the axis of the firing plate M is formed a shouldered or stepped aperture m which registers with the primer and with the firingpin of the hammer when the latter is in the forward position. Into this aperture is forced a hardened and removable bushing N, wherein is formed a passage for the firing pin (Fig. 3). When this passage has become corroded through the leakage of defective primers, it may be replaced with a new bushing, thus obviating the necessity of renewing the firing plate as a whole. p

The trigger shaft 0 (Figs. 23, 24, and 25) consists ofa single piece of metaland performs the functions of trigger, sear, support ofmainspring and lock for mechanism. Be.- ginning at the inner end we find the shaft 0 on which is placed the main spring H, which abuts against the shoulder o. Near this shoulder. is the projecting sear 0 which can engage in the cooking notch g formed in the walls of the spring box G. In Fig. 4 the sear is shown engaged with the cooking notch, and

it is clear that if the trigger shaft be turned to the rear about its longitudinal axis the sear will leave the notch permitting the spring box to fly forward causing in its turn the hammer to strike and explode the primer of the cartridge.

To the rear of the projecting sear 0 of the trigger shaft is formed the annular shoulder 0 which engages in the annular groove 0 (Fig. 5) in the breech block. Both the shoulder 0 and the metal covering the groove 0 are cut away so as to form'a bayonet joint, in such manner that the trigger shaft may be slipped into place and given a half turn, when it will be locked. In order that the annular shoulder 0 may pass the disk F of the shaft of the handle E, a circular passage f (Fig. l) is formed in the disk, in such manner that the handle E being turnedto an essentially vertical position, the passage f registers with the cylindrical chamber g which contains the spring box G and trigger shaft 0. In this position the trigger shaft may be introduced into its place and when locked its head 0 (Fig. 1) bearing against the disk F prevents the withdrawal of the handle E and its shaft E. It is obvious that the trigger shaft cannot be unlocked and withdrawn except when the handle E is in the vertical position, as in any other position the face 0 of the annular stop 0 will strike the rear wall f on the inner recess F of the disk F.

The sear o of the triggershaft is made to engage with the cocking notch g of the spring box G by means of the face 0 of the annular shoulder o as follows: When the handle E is turned to the rear to unlock the breech, the face f formed in the recess F" of the" disk F strikes the face just before it strikes the stop f in the breech block, thus causing the trigger piece to revolve sufficiently to bring the sear o in line and into engagement with the cocking notch 9 Once the scar is engaged in the cocking notch and the handle E turned to the front, the spring box G will be entirely supported against the pressure of the main spring by the sear. If now the trigger shaft be turned to the rear disengaging the sear from the cocking notch, the spring box will fiy inward under the impulse of the main spring causing the hammer to'revolve and fire the gun. On the end of the trigger shaft is 7 formed a projecting lug'or trigger P which is the gun.

eccentric to the axis of the trigger shaft. Formed on or attachedto the breech block is a projecting hook Q, which when the gun is cooked abuts against the trigger P forming an eye or aperture E. To fire the gun an ordinary lanyard is provided to the end of which is attached a hook shaped piece S (Fig. 26) of metal. Introducing the lanyard hook into the eye R, a smart jerk on the lanyard will cause the trigger shaft to revolve freeing the sear from the cooking notch and firing the gun. At the same time the lanyard hook passes between the trigger P and the projecting hook R thus disengaging the lanyard from This disengaging arrangement is necessary in all mountain, field and siege guns having a great recoil, in order to prevent injury to the hand grasping the lanyard.

The action of the mechanism is as follows: The gun having been fired, the handle E is given a half turn to the rear. The locking screw E revolving with the handle releases its thread from the female thread in the breech of the gun, thus unlocking the breech. The cocking cam I being in one piece with the locking screw revolves with it, and its helical thread idrives the cooking toe. g. outward, drawing with it the spring box G which slides upon the trigger shaft 0, and compressesthe main spring H between the bottom of the box and the shoulder o of the trigger shaft. At the end'of themotion the cocking notch g has slightly passed the sear 0 As the springbox G moves to-the side, the inward tooth of the rack G acting against the tooth 3' causes the hammer J to revolve to the cooked position. Just before the handle E and with it the disk F has completed itsrevolution, but after the spring box G has been fully retracted, the face f strikes the'face o causing the trigger shaft to revolve to the front bringing the sear 0 in line with the cocking notch g and the trigger P in contact with the hook Q. The breech may now be opened by pulling the handle smartly outward from the gun, until its lateral movement is arrested by the stop bolt 0'. As the breechblock ispulled outward it moves slightly to the rear'following the guide a. As the blockzmoves outward, the extractor following the parallel portion of the guide at moves slowly away from the chamber of the gun thus starting the fired cartridge case with a powerful leverage. When the extractor stud strikes the abruptly inclined portion of the groove (1, the extractor is caused to move violently to the rear throwing the empty cartridge case clear of the gun. The gun is now ready for loading, the new cartridge is passed into the chamber of the gun through the openings B A, until its head or flange takes against the claw d of the extractor. The breech of the gun is now closed by pushing the handle E smartly toward the breech of the gun. Theinclined face a of the breech block acting againstthe head of the cartridge causes the latter to enter fully into the bore of the gun. When the breech is closed further motion is prevented by the last thread of the locking screw E 'striking the first thread of the female screw in the breech of the gun. The breech is now locked by turning the handle E fully to the front when the full portion of the locking screw E engages with the female thread in the breech of the gun. When fully locked further movement of the handle E is prevented by the face f striking the stop f As the handle turns to the front, the helical thread of the cooking cam I previously in engagement with the cocking toe g', which it had driven outward in the process of cooking, is rotated away from it, leaving the spring box G locked and the hammer cocked, as already described;.so that when the handle is fully turned and the block locked, the unthreaded or plain surface of the axis of the cam I registers with the cooking toe leaving the latter free to move inward under the impetus of the spring, when the spring box is unlocked. The mechanism is now as shown in Fig. 4. The lanyard hook is now inserted in the eye R and the gun is ready for firing. Pulling the lanyard the trigger piece is caused to revolve, freeing the sear 0 from the cocking notch g, the spring box G flies inward under the impulse of the main spring, theoutward tooth of the rack G acting on the tooth j causes the hammer J to revolve-about its axis, and the firing pin passing through the hole IIO in the bushing of thefiring plate strikes the primer of the cartridge firing the gun.

To dismount the mechanism proceed as follows: Turn thehandle E to a nearly vertical position when thepassage f 3 will register with the cylindrical chamber 9. A screw driver is now engaged in the'slot formed in the head 0 of the trigger shaft and the latter turned until the bayonet joint formed by the shoulder'o and the groove 0 is unlocked. The trigger and with it the main spring may now be removed. The handle E with its shaft are now free and may bewithdrawn. The locking screw and cockingcam are now free and may be removed. Passing the finger under the tail j of the hammer the latter may be removed, and finally the spring box, which is nowfree. To remove the breech block, unscrew the stop bolt and pull out the block and finally remove the extractor which is now free. The breech block and mechanism are mounted in the reverse order, but it is evident that the percussion mechanism may be completely mounted and dismounted with the breech block either in or out of the gun.

Having now fully described our invention, what we claim is- 1. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore, the combination with the breech block having suitable recesses, of a locking screw, a cam integral with said locking screw and consisting of a helical thread making a partial revolution around the extended axis thereof, a spring actuated percussion mechanism, and suitable intermediate devices operatively connected to the spring of the percussion mechanism and arranged to be acted upon by the cam, all contained and moving with said block, whereby when the block is unlocked, the said percussion mechanism is cooked, substantially as described.

2. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore and having a locking screw mounted on the breech block, thecombination with the lockingscrew of a helically threaded cam located in the breech block and forming an extension of the axis of the looking screw, and integral therewith a helical spring located in a chamber in said breech block parallel to the axis of said.cam, and suitable intermediate devices arranged to be acted upon by said cam and operatively connected to said spring, all contained within and moving with said block whereby when said locking screw is unlocked said spring is compressed, substantially as described.

3. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore and having a locking screw mounted in the block and a hammer j ournaled in a suitable recess in the block, the combination with the locking screw of a helically threaded cocking cam located in the breech block forming an extension of the axis of the locking screw and integral therewith, a helical spring located in a chamber in said breech block parallel to the axis of said cam, suitable intermediate devices arranged to be acted upon by said cam and operatively connected to said spring and suitable connecting mechanism between said spring and said hammer all contained within and movable with said .block, whereby when said locking screw is unlocked said spring is compressed and the hammer is cooked, substantially as described.

4. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore and having a locking screw .mounted in the block, the combination with the locking screw of a helically threaded cocking cam located in the breech block forming an extension of the axis of the locking screw and integral therewith, said cocking cam havin g a surface partially helically threaded and partially at right angles to its axis, a spring box located in achamber in said breech block parallel to the axis of said cam, adapted to move longitudinally in said chamber, and having a laterally projecting lug which engages with said cam surface through a longitudinal slot in said chamber wall, and ahelical spring located in said spring box, having one end abutting against the bottom of said spring box and the other against a bearing in said chamber, all contained within and moving with said blockwhereby when said locking screw is unlocked, said spring is compressed, substantially as described.

5. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore and having a locking screw mounted in the block andahammer journaled in a suitable recess in the block, the combination with the locking screw of a helically threaded cocking cam located in the breech block forming an extension of the axis of the locking screw and integral therewith, said cocking cam having a surface partially helical and partially at right angles to its axis, a spring box located in a chamberin said breech block parallel to the axis of said cam, adapted to move longitudinally in said chamber and having a laterally projecting lug which engages with said cam surface through a longitudinal slot in said chamber wall, a hammer in and moving with said block whereby when said locking screw is unlocked, said hammer is cooked, substantially as described.

6. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore and having a locking screw mounted in the block, the combination with the hammer journaled in a suitable recess in the block, of the hammer shaft, a tooth upon said shaft, a spring box located in a chamber in said breech block at right angles to the shaft and adapted to move longitudinally therein, one or more teeth upon said spring box confining between them the single tooth upon said shaft, a helical spring located in said spring box and abutting as described, and a device mounted upon the block which imparts a longitudinal movement to said spring box against the stress of the spring, all of said parts being movable with said block whereby the hammer is cocked, substantially as described.

7. In a breech loading gun} closed by a breech block moving essentially at right an gles to the bore, the combination with a spring box, located in a chamber in said breech block, and adapted to move longitudinally therein, and having a section of its wall removed and IIO a scar notch thereon of a helical spring located in said chamber and having one end abutting against the bottom of said spring box and the other against a bearing in said chamber, and a rotating trigger shaft, removably and rotatably secured to the breech block and passing axially through said helical spring and spring box, and having a scar adapted to registerand to lock with said sear notch on the spring box, when said spring is compressed and the trigger rotated, substantially as described.

8. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore the combination with a spring box located in a chamber in said breech block and adapted to move longitudinally therein,

and having a section of its wall removed and a sear notch therein, of a helical spring located in said chamber and having one end abutting against the bottom of said spring box, a rotating trigger having a head removably and rotatably secured to the breech block and a shaft passing axially through said helical spring and spring box, a shoulder on said trigger shaft forming an abutment for the other end of said spring, a scar on said shaft adapted to register and lock with said sear notch on the spring box, when the spring is compressed and the trigger rotated, an eccentric lug upon the trigger head, a hook upon the gun breech forming a closed eye with the trigger head lug, when the spring is compressed and the sear locked, and a device for opening the eye to release the spring, substantially as described.

9. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore and having a locking screw mounted in the block and a hammerjournaled in a suitable recess in the block, the combination of the locking screw, the helical cam located in the breech block forming an extension of the axis of the locking screw and integral therewith having a surface partially helical andpartially at right angles to its axis, a spring box located in a chamberin said breech block parallel to the axis of said cam adapted to move longitudinally in said chamber and having a laterally projecting lug which engages with said cam surface through alongitudinai slot in said chamber wall, a hammer having a shaft journaled in a suitable recess in said breech block at right angles to said spring box, one or more teeth upon said shaft, two or more teeth upon said spring boxin engagement with the teeth upon said shaft, a helical spring located in said spring box and having one end abutting against the bottom of said box, a rotating trigger having a head removably and rotatably secured to the breech block and a shaft passing axially through said helical spring and spring box, a shoulder on said trigger shaft forming an abutment for the other end of said spring, a sear on said trigger shaft, a sear notch on said spring box adapted to register and lock with said trigger shaft sear, when the spring is compressed and the trigger rotated, an eccentric lug upon the trigger head, a hook upon the gun breech forming a closed eye with the trigger head lug when the spring is compressed and the sear locked and a device for opening the eye to release the spring, substantially as described.

10. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore, the combination with a removable locking screw and helical cam integral therewith, consisting of a helical thread making part of a complete revolution around the prolonged axis of the locking screw located in the breech block of a handle and shaft removably secured to thelocking screw, substantially as described.

11. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech-block moving essentially at right angles to the bore, and having the Within described spring compressing mechanism, the combination with a removable locking screw having a spring actuating cam integral therewith, consisting of a helical thread making part of a complete revolution around the prolonged axis of the locking screwa cylindrical axial chamber and a key way in said chamber, of a removable handle having a shaft journaled in said breech block and locking screw and having a key on the shaft which engages the keyway on the locking screw, a disk shaped head on the shaft handle rotating therewith and having a recessed guide way on its under surface next to the breech block, and a stop on the breech block, engaging in said guide way, substantially as described.

12. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore, and having the within de scribed spring actuated percussion mechanism, the combination with the removable handle journaled in the breech block as described, and the disk shaped head rotating therewith and having a circular notch in its periphery, of the removable trigger shaft mounted in the breech block adjacent to and parallel with the handle, having a rotatable bayonet joint adapted to lock with the breech block below said handle disk, and a head adapted to bear against the outer surface of said handle disk and retain it in place against thebreech block when the trigger shaft is locked, substantially as described.

13. In a breech loading gun closed by a breech block moving essentially at right angles to the bore and having the within described spring actuated mechanism, the combination with the spring box having the sear notch, its contained spring, and rotatable trigger shaft with its sear all located as described of the annular trigger shaft shoulder 0 having the face 0 and the handle and shaft rotatably mounted on the block, having the disk with the recess F and abutment f on its under periphery, which engages with said trigger face 0 to rotate the trigger when the handle is turned, substantially as described.

14. The combination with the breech block A having the chambers K and K and the recessed bearings k and their entrances k for introducing and mounting the hammer and its shaft, of the removable hammer J and its shaft j having the extremities of reduced diameter and cut away to pass through the entrance k and fit into the bearing is in the breech block, substantially as described.

15. The combination with the breech block A having the chambers K K the recessed bearings 70, and their entrances k for introducing and mounting the hammer and its shaft, of the removable hammer J and its shaft j constructed as described to fit into the chambers and bearings in the breech block, and the tail 7' on the hammer shaft for removing the hammer, substantially as described,

16. The combination with the breech block A having the chambers K K, the recessed witnesses.

LAURENCE V. BENET. HENRI A. MEROIE.

Witnesses:

ALFRED O. VREMEY, CHARLES KREMER.

.our hands in the presence of two subscribing 

